Kellerman businesses
continue to thrive by Madelyn Swenson
K
ellerman’s Event Center has been a part of the White Bear Lake community since August 2012. The Alchemist Craft Cocktail Bar was added to the building three years later. Terry and Anne Kellerman are the owners of Kellerman’s Event Center. Terry’s vision for adding the The Alchemist, enhanced the businesses he has owned in the city since 1979. He started with AC Upholstery in the same building. At that time Kellerman was simply renting a space in the building. The Kellermans officially bought the building on 4th Street in 1999. Back then, Kellerman envisioned a patio where the popular rooftop deck is now. “Every window in the building was rotten and I remember sitting there looking out those windows and thinking that should be a patio. But it wasn’t really,” he said. “It took a lot of work to create the feel and style that it is today.” In 2017, the patio became a reality when it opened for The Alchemist and Kellerman’s Event Center guests to enjoy the beauty of Downtown White Bear Lake while sipping a craft cocktail or sharing in the celebration of a wedding. Live music during White Bear Lake’s Marketfest was added that summer, which started yet another tradition. Kellerman said the history of the building is important to him. He made sure to incorporate it into the design of the two businesses. “The ages of the decor range quite a bit, spanning over the time that the building has been here.” The building itself was built in 1906. Kellerman uses older pieces to create the “feel”. This style of design worked well for The Alchemist, which is described as a “steampunk” themed craft cocktail bar. The focus is on fresh handmade cocktails that are created by The Alchemist team on location. With their compilation of unique drink styles, Kellerman said he would describe the staff of The Alchemist as “artists.” The bar added a small food menu to compliment the strength of the cocktails. “Without food, guests were intimidated to go to the next drink,” Kristin Cranmer, manager of Kellerman’s & The Alchemist said. “The addition of the food provides our guests a more satisfying experience.
